Libya One Year On: The End of Gaddafi [SLIDESHOW]

A rebel waves a sign that reads: "Our demand: freedom" in ZawiyahReuters

A rebel waves a sign that reads: "Our demand: freedom" in ZawiyahReutersDespite an uprising against his rule, Gaddafi still maintained a strong following for months.ReutersGaddafi waves from a car in the compound of Bab Al Azizia in Tripoli in April. He had just met a delegation of five African leaders in a bid to end the conflict.ReutersEgyptian evacuees queued to board flights out of Tunisia. Thousands of people fled the country during the conflict.ReutersAnti-Gaddafi graffiti spread through Benghazi, the cradle of the uprisingReutersFighting between rebels and the Gaddafi forces intensified in March 2011ReutersNew research examining how armed groups formed in Libya to topple Colonel Muammar Gaddafi says the revolutionary brigades are still a cohesive military force.ReutersUN Security Council establishes a no-fly zone over LibyaReutersFor the Gaddafi family, life went on as normal for the first six months of the uprising and fun and games were uninterrupted in the dictator's fortified compound in the middle of tripoliReutersMuammar Gaddafi was captured in Sirte on October 22, 2011ReutersGaddafi's corpse was put on display in Misrata and attracted thousands of disbelieving LibyansReutersThe NTC announces the liberation of Libya in Benghazi, October 23, 2011ReutersLibya faces grave security challenges as it cobbles together a new government.Reuters

Libyans have celebrated the one-year anniversary of the uprising that led to the capture and death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Most celebrations were held in and around Benghazi, the stronghold of the revolution, and Tripoli, the capital.

The country still faces many challenges. The ruling National Transitional Council is struggling to assert control over the militias that fought against Gaddafi during the conflict.

Rights groups have called for militias to give up their arms and reports of continued abuse of human rights by former rebel fighters continue to emerge.

"The revolution has met one of its important demands - liberating the country and toppling the autocratic regime, but now we are passing through another stage to rebuild the country," said Ali al-Tarhoni, the former minister of oil and finance.

"Are we able to overcome the challenges to build a democratic and Islamic country? I'm optimistic because we have the abilities to do so."